Everyone Needs a Home

. “New York City and the Homeless.” New York Times. New York Times, 13th October 2009. Web. 15 October 2009<http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/opinion/15thu3.html?ref=todayspaper>.

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New York City has reached a record high in the amounts of homeless people throughout the city. These statics show that homelessness has risen and reached the highest record ever, of 120,000 people. These people ranged from children to adults of both sexes. The fact that these people were left without homes gave them no other choice but rely on the government. These people were resorting to the shelters and other types of help during this harsh finical crisis. The fact that New York City’s weather has started to become a little chilly has started to frighten the government. Chilly weather results to people trying to stay off the streets which in time results in over crowed shelters. The Boomberg Administration began preparing for this experience approximately two years ago and seemed to be ready for what this winter chill will bring. In my eyes, I believe that is writing some of this section about how he believes N.Y truly is not ready and is underprepared. I believe that in this article, the author is trying to say that this city honestly does not know what they are about to receive. In this article, the city blames most of its problems with homelessness on the economy. One view of the author that I see pop out, is how he believes that it is not just the economy causing this homelessness and that the city needs to take some responsibility upon it. In conclusion, I think the author is trying to make everyone aware of NYC circumstances these numbers do not keep increasing. The author is also trying to express the fact that cities need to take precautions for their selves and not just blame the economy and look at the bigger picture.

This article has stirred up several controversial ideas in my mind. First off, I knew the homelessness numbers had reached high numbers but I didn’t realize it had raised that sharply. The statement in this article about how “The city has driven some vulnerable families to the brink with bureaucratic obstacles that make it difficult for qualified families to receive welfare and food-stamp benefits,” has me questioning some things. I agree with this statement because I know that New York City has some of the highest prices on items that I can find or eat an hour away for three fourths less the price. The city does this because it was one of the highest tourist spots in the U.S. To some degree I believe if they lowered the price of housing and even parking in this city more people would come to the city and civilians could afford to keep their houses. By the city lowering the prices this would gain the city more money, in which return with the money could build bigger shelters. My position within this article would be along the same lines as the author. I do believe that these numbers were caused by the economy to a certain extent but it is also N.Y.C fault partially. I also agree on the author’s point of view where he thinks that the city is not ready for this winter. In all honestly, the economy is still down and the fact that half the reason for the homelessness in NYC and it being winter worries me. I feel as if this winter is going to be of the worst for shelters.